As we gear up for the Kansas City Irish Fest, we’re revisiting our episode with Kerry Browne and John McClain, 4th-generation owners of Browne’s Irish Marketplace — the oldest Irish-owned business in the world outside of Ireland, and Kansas City’s oldest retail business.

Located in Midtown Kansas City, Browne’s is beloved for its Irish hospitality, curated imports from Ireland, and authentic Irish food, drinks, and gifts. It’s more than a store — it’s a living piece of Irish-American history.

In this episode, Kerry and John share how Browne’s has survived and thrived through:

• Two pandemics

• Two World Wars

• The Great Depression

• Prohibition (with rumors of visits from Tom Pendergast!)

• And every economic downturn for nearly 150 years

We also hear from their son Ian and longtime friend Pete McCluskey, a key player in both the KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade and KC Irish Fest, as they reflect on Irish culture, resilience, and the immigrant legacy that helped shape Kansas City.

Whether you’re Irish by birth or Irish at heart — this is a story worth raising a glass to. Sláinte!

• We’re throwing it back to our conversation with Alex Gordon, one of the greatest players in Kansas City Royals history and a future Royals Hall of Famer. Known for his grit, gold gloves, and iconic leadership during the 2015 World Series Championship run, Alex shares the story behind his legendary career.

  From being labeled the “next George Brett” to struggling early on at third base, Alex’s path was anything but smooth. But a key move to left field changed everything — sparking a career defined by elite defense, hard work, and unshakable determination.

  In this episode, Alex opens up about:

• • His transformation from top prospect to team leader

  • Winning the World Series with the Royals

  • The meaning behind the “Alex Gordon Heart and Hustle Award”

  • His pride in being a Nebraska Cornhusker and College Baseball Hall of Famer

  • How he and his family are now giving back to the Kansas City community

  If you're a fan of baseball, underdog stories, or hometown heroes — this one’s for you.

In this episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we revisit our powerful conversation with Allan Swan, President of Panasonic North America, about the largest economic development project in Kansas history — the new $4 billion lithium-ion battery plant in De Soto, Kansas.

Allan shares how Kansas beat out over 100 other locations across 13 states to become home to Panasonic’s cutting-edge EV battery manufacturing facility, a key player in the booming electric vehicle (EV) industry. The factory will create up to 8,000 new jobs and is already partnering with local schools and universities to develop the skilled workforce needed.

We also dive into Panasonic’s vision for the future of clean energy, electric transportation, and lithium battery innovation.

Plus, Allan offers a personal look at how he and his family have embraced Kansas City — and what sets this community apart.

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most transformative tech projects in the Midwest.